OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?

Occupational asthma may be defined as asthma induced by acquired hypersensitivity to an agent inhaled at work. A lot of agents in the workplace have been shown to cause asthma and the list is growing as new materials and processes are introduced. There are two major types of occupational asthma. Sen...

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Main Authors: Mirjana Arandelović, Jovica Jovanović
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University in Nis, Faculty of Medicine 2003-07-01
Series:Acta Medica Medianae
Subjects:
Online Access:http://publisher.medfak.ni.ac.rs/2003-html/3-broj/OCCUPATIONAL%20ASTHMA....pdf
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author Mirjana Arandelović
Jovica Jovanović
author_facet Mirjana Arandelović
Jovica Jovanović
author_sort Mirjana Arandelović
collection DOAJ
description Occupational asthma may be defined as asthma induced by acquired hypersensitivity to an agent inhaled at work. A lot of agents in the workplace have been shown to cause asthma and the list is growing as new materials and processes are introduced. There are two major types of occupational asthma. Sensitizer-induced asthma is characterized by specific responsiveness to the etiologic agent. The mechanism of irritant-induced asthma is unknown, but there is no clinical evidence of sensitization. Two other mechanisms by which variable airway obstruction due to workplace exposure can occur are reflex and pharmacological bronchoconstriction. Occupational asthma can be a challenging diagnosis to make and to prove. Tests which are used and are helpful include nonspecific pulmonary function tests, specific or bronchoprovocative pulmonary function test, serial pulmonary function tests (most commonly using the peak flow meter), and immunologic tests. Each test has its own drawbacks and none is perfect. Early diagnosis of occupational asthma and early removal of patients from exposure are important.
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spelling doaj.art-d46434ce05b44ac2ac82816a11fe99572022-12-21T19:41:35ZengUniversity in Nis, Faculty of MedicineActa Medica Medianae0365-44782003-07-014235357OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?Mirjana ArandelovićJovica JovanovićOccupational asthma may be defined as asthma induced by acquired hypersensitivity to an agent inhaled at work. A lot of agents in the workplace have been shown to cause asthma and the list is growing as new materials and processes are introduced. There are two major types of occupational asthma. Sensitizer-induced asthma is characterized by specific responsiveness to the etiologic agent. The mechanism of irritant-induced asthma is unknown, but there is no clinical evidence of sensitization. Two other mechanisms by which variable airway obstruction due to workplace exposure can occur are reflex and pharmacological bronchoconstriction. Occupational asthma can be a challenging diagnosis to make and to prove. Tests which are used and are helpful include nonspecific pulmonary function tests, specific or bronchoprovocative pulmonary function test, serial pulmonary function tests (most commonly using the peak flow meter), and immunologic tests. Each test has its own drawbacks and none is perfect. Early diagnosis of occupational asthma and early removal of patients from exposure are important.http://publisher.medfak.ni.ac.rs/2003-html/3-broj/OCCUPATIONAL%20ASTHMA....pdfoccupational asthmapatophysiologydiagnosisprognosis
spellingShingle Mirjana Arandelović
Jovica Jovanović
OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
Acta Medica Medianae
occupational asthma
patophysiology
diagnosis
prognosis
title OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
title_full OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
title_fullStr OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
title_full_unstemmed OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
title_short OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS?
title_sort occupational asthma what are the mechanisms
topic occupational asthma
patophysiology
diagnosis
prognosis
url http://publisher.medfak.ni.ac.rs/2003-html/3-broj/OCCUPATIONAL%20ASTHMA....pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT mirjanaarandelovic occupationalasthmawhatarethemechanisms
AT jovicajovanovic occupationalasthmawhatarethemechanisms